Taiwan Faces Demographic Crisis as Pets Outnumber Children

Taiwan’s birthrate has declined to a point where pets outnumber children, presenting a significant demographic challenge for the island. Recent analysis reveals that Taiwan had over 3.2 million pet cats and dogs in 2025, surpassing the 2.68 million children aged 14 and under. This analysis by Sinyi Realty, a real estate brokerage located in New Taipei City, utilizes government statistics to highlight the issue.

This situation reflects a broader global trend, with approximately two-thirds of the global population living in areas where fertility rates are below the necessary 2.1 births per woman to sustain population levels without immigration. According to the United Nations, this demographic shift is causing concern among policymakers due to the economic strain on pensions, healthcare, and social services, while the workforce diminishes.

Taiwan’s declining birthrate is particularly pronounced. Last year, Taiwan surpassed South Korea as having the lowest fertility rate globally, dropping to 0.695 from 0.885 in 2024. The island recorded around 107,000 births, a substantial decrease from the figures seen in the 1960s.

“The Fur Baby Generation”

In Taiwan, only seven out of 22 counties and municipalities have more children than pets. New Taipei City exemplifies this trend with approximately 597,000 dogs and cats, significantly outnumbering children under 14 by about 162,000. Sinyi Realty Executive Vice President Wang Jianwei attributes this gap to rapid development and migration patterns influenced by housing prices.

Soaring housing costs, reduced living space, and the financial demands of child-rearing push younger Taiwanese toward delaying or avoiding parenthood, often opting for pets instead. This shift affects consumer behavior and housing market preferences.

“National Security Issue”

Taiwanese leaders regard the declining birthrate as more than a societal challenge. President Lai Ching-te labeled it a “national security issue” in May and introduced policies to promote child-rearing. The measures include a monthly subsidy of about $150 per child under 18.

Demographers believe that such incentives alone are inadequate without addressing deeper issues like long working hours, high housing costs, and escalating living expenses, which are prevalent in countries like South Korea, China, and Japan, where similar challenges persist despite efforts to increase birthrates.